As can be expected, the quality and finishing of the hard landscaping at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2012 was of an exceptional standard. Some of the ideas and execution of the hard landscaping materials used were just as strong, and we’ve drawn together a compilation of some great examples that caught our eye.

WOOD

The rich colour and strong horizontal lines of the overhead beams make a bold statement, as does the floating dining table, both of which featured on The Australian Garden designed by Jason Hodges / Flemings.

The beautiful rich colour of the bold cedar wood frames are the central feature of the Homebase Teenage Cancer Trust Garden designed by Joe Swift.

A simple and sleek wood bench on the Celebration of Caravanning Garden designed by Jo Thompson.

CORTEN STEEL / COPPER

The Australian Garden featured leaf sculptures with the rust tones tying in with the warmth of the wooden overhead beams.

Taking the function of a fence this is an imaginative use of corten steel on The World Vision Garden designed by FlemondsWarlandDesign.

Corten Steel is used by Joe Swift here as a water feature on the Homebase Teenage Cancer Trust Garden.

A further example of corten steel used as a water feature on The Telegraph Garden designed by Sarah Price. The material is used on the edges of the pool and the vertical water cascade.

The focal point of The M&G Garden designed by Andy Sturgeon is the energy wave sculpture, crafted from copper rings, that weaves through the garden.

NATURAL STONE

An old stone mill head mounted on the dry stone wall is an impressive and imaginative focal point on the Brewin Dolphin Garden designed by Cleve West.

Limestone is the natural stone on The Daily Telegraph Garden designed by Sarah Price, with boulders and rough hewn blocks worked through the space.

The Renault Garden designed by James Basson demonstrates that a waste material such as pudding stone can be used to create a garden. Here it is used to form the pillars at the heart of the garden.

Travatine stone from Tivoli was chosen for the hard landscaping elements on The Arthritis Research UK Garden designed by Thomas Hoblyn. Rough hewn and finely honed finishes were both used in the garden.

A traditional dry stone roof is used on the Trulio building which is the centre-piece of the RBC Blue Water Garden designed by Professor Nigel Dunnett.

The M&G Garden by Andy Sturgeon features natural materials with Purbeck stone being used for the steps leading down to the pool.

ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS

Perspex cubes and artwork is central to The QR Code Garden designed by Jade Goto / Green Graphite.

The planters in the Rooftop Workplace of Tomorrow Garden designed by Patricia Fox have been manufactured by recycled materials.

Crafted leaves of perspex frost acrylic are used for the sculpture at the heart of The Bradstone Panache Garden designed by Caroline E Butler.

A striking sculpture stands out amongst the fresh gardens at Chelsea.

If you like this post, why not check out some more of our favourite garden design images at pinterest.com/gardendesigneye